With the BTN Tailgate on campus, Indiana will host Western Kentucky in a non-conference tilt on Saturday.
The Hoosiers will look to eclipse their 2021 season win total just three weeks into the 2022 campaign.
But to do that, they’ll need to knock off an upstart bunch from Bowling Green, Ky. that presents major challenges on both sides of the football.
Here’s everything you need to know about IU’s third game of the season.
WESTERN KENTUCKY (2-0) at INDIANA (2-0)
- Kickoff: Noon Eastern, Saturday
- Location: Bloomington, Ind., Memorial Stadium (52,656; field turf)
- Television: Big Ten Network — Lisa Byington (pbp), Anthony Herron (analyst), Krystle Rich (sideline)
- Stream: Fox Sports
- Radio: IU Football radio network
- Odds: Indiana is a 6.5-point favorite
- Weather at kickoff: 80 degrees, sunny, wind 8 mph, 0% chance of precipitation.
- Series: Indiana leads 4-0 (IU won 33-31 in 2021)
- The Coaches:
Tom Allen is in his sixth year as the head coach at IU. He holds a 28-32 record.
Tyson Helton was named Western Kentucky University’s 21st head football coach on November 27, 2018. The 2022 campaign is his fourth season at the helm of the Hilltopper program after producing a 23-16 mark and reaching three bowl games in his first three years.
IU Football Week Three Coverage:
- Hoosiers preparing for challenge against Western Kentucky
- IU football OT Haggard improving at pass blocking, providing veteran presence
- Watch: IU football coach Tom Allen with final Thursday thoughts on Western Kentucky
- IU football: Week two and season to date PFF grades and notes
- IU football coach Tom Allen radio show: Western Kentucky week
- Watch: IU football coordinators Bell and Wilt recap week two, preview Western Kentucky
- “Unfazed Baze” — Connor Bazelak’s consistent personality on display in IU’s first two games
- Notebook: Hoosiers preparing for stiff test against WKU, offense avoiding sacks
INJURIES
Indiana is reasonably healthy going into week three beyond the loss of right tackle Matthew Bedford for the season with a torn ACL.
Defensive end James Head, Jr. could make his season debut on Saturday according to head coach Tom Allen.
Safety Jonathan Haynes is day-to-day.
TALE OF THE TAPE
2021 HIGHLIGHTS
THE COMPLETE BIG TEN WEEK THREE SLATE
| Away | Home | Time | Location | Links | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12:00 P.M.
|
Evanston, Ill. | TV: BTN Stats | |||
|
12:00 P.M.
|
Ann Arbor, Mich. | TV: ABC Stats Video | |||
|
12:00 P.M.
|
Syracuse, N.Y. | TV: ESPN2 Stats Radio: WAZY (96.5 FM) Video | |||
|
12:00 P.M.
|
Lincoln, Neb. | Stats Video | |||
|
12:00 P.M.
|
Bloomington, Ind. | TV: BTN Stats Radio: IU Radio Network | |||
|
2:00 P.M.
|
Philadelphia, Pa. | TV: ESPN+ Stats Radio: WFAN 101.9-FM/660-AM, FOX Sports New Jersey 93.5-FM/1450-AM, SiriusXM 392, Audacy app, Scarlet Knights app Video | |||
|
3:30 P.M.
|
Madison, WI | TV: BTN Stats | |||
|
3:30 P.M.
|
Auburn, Ala. | TV: CBS Stats Radio: Penn State Sports Network Video | |||
|
3:30 P.M.
|
Huntington Bank Stadium | TV: ESPN2 Stats Radio: KFAN 100.3 FM Video | |||
|
7:00 P.M.
|
Columbus, Ohio | TV: FOX | |||
|
7:30 P.M.
|
Iowa City, Iowa | TV: Big Ten Network | |||
|
7:30 P.M.
|
College Park, MD | TV: FS1 Stats Video | |||
|
7:30 P.M.
|
Seattle, WA | TV: ABC Radio: Spartan Media Network |
WESTERN KENTUCKY NOTES AND LEADERS
In its first ever visit to Hawaii, WKU came out on top in dominant fashion by a score of 49-17. The defense forced six turnovers on the night, including two interceptions by Kaleb Oliver and pick six courtesy of Juwuan Jones. Offensively, quarterback Austin Reed led the way for the Tops by throwing for 271 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 43 yards and an additional score.
In the very first college football game of 2022, WKU defeated Austin Peay by a score of 38-27. Malachi Corley caught three touchdowns from quarterback Austin Reed while Daewood Davis caught the other. The Hilltopper defense recorded four takeaways for the game, including a pick six by defensive back Upton Stout.
This year’s WKU Football roster includes 40 total transfers, 20 incoming transfers for the 2022 season, and 17 transfers who previously played at Power 5 programs.
2022 RESULTS
WKU 38 Austin Peay 27
WKU 49 Hawaii 17
2022 STATISTICAL LEADERS
- Austin Reed (QB) – 42-of-65, 551 yards, 7 TDs, 2 INTs
- Davion Ervin-Poindexter (RB) – 24 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD
- Kye Robichaux (RB) – 12 carries, 67 yard, 1 TD
- Daewood Davis (WR) – 11 receptions, 202 yards, 1 TD
- Malachi Corley (WR) – 9 receptions, 73 yards, 3 TD
- JaQues Evans (LB) – 18 tackles, 3.5 sacks
- Kaleb Oliver (DB) – 2 INT
- Upton Stout (DB) – 2 INT
PREDICTIONS
Indiana’s inconsistent play to open the 2022 season has them out of favor with the computer models. But in an unusual divergence, oddsmakers like the Hoosiers by a healthy margin. What to do, what to do?
With good weather and matchups they can exploit, Indiana’s offense finally comes alive early and often, and does just enough to hold off the feisty Hilltoppers and their potent attack.
TDH: INDIANA 38 WESTERN KENTUCKY 34
CFN: Indiana 38 Western Kentucky 27
ESPN SP+ (Computer) Western Kentucky 31 Indiana 27
ESPN FPI: Indiana 45.2 percent chance to win
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